Governor Douye Diri Denies Claims of an Affair with Nengi of BBNaija, Calls Rumors ‘Fake News’ and ‘Political Smear Campaign
On February 10, 2025, a wave of rumors began circulating on social media suggesting that Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, was responsible for the pregnancy of Nengi Hampson, a former Big Brother Naija (BBN) reality TV star. The rumors claimed that the governor, who had appointed Nengi as his Senior Special Assistant on Girl Child Development in 2020, was involved in an affair with her that had led to her expecting a child. These unverified reports quickly gained traction on various social media platforms, becoming the topic of widespread discussion.
However, the Governor’s office was quick to address the situation, firmly denying the allegations. Samuel Oredipe, the Director-General of New Media to the Governor, took to his personal Facebook page to label the claim as “fake news.” In his post, Oredipe vehemently rejected the rumors and dismissed them as part of a malicious campaign aimed at tarnishing the governor’s reputation.
In his statement, Oredipe expressed frustration over the spread of false information, especially at a time when the Bayelsa State government was celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Prosperity Administration, the governor’s administration. According to Oredipe, the timing of the rumor’s emergence was no coincidence. He suggested that political opponents of Governor Diri were behind the false reports, aiming to distract from the positive developments in the state.
“Political enemies of His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State are at work again,” Oredipe wrote, emphasizing that the claims had no foundation in truth. He further criticized the people responsible for spreading the falsehoods, calling them “wicked people” who were intent on sowing discord and undermining the governor’s work. Oredipe also asserted that the governor had no personal relationship with Nengi, and he pointed out that Nengi herself had publicly denied the rumors, further debunking the fake news.
The accusations came amid the governor’s administration marking its fifth anniversary, which was being celebrated with a series of events, including the inauguration of a new road in Yenagoa, the state capital. Oredipe pointed out the stark contrast between the state’s progress, exemplified by the road inauguration, and the baseless rumors being spread on social media. He also used this moment to call attention to the growing issue of fake news and the need for stronger regulation of social media platforms to curb the spread of false information.
Nengi, for her part, had already taken to social media earlier to clear the air, emphasizing that the rumors were completely unfounded. The reality TV star, who had previously been involved in public work with the Bayelsa state government, was unequivocal in denying any personal involvement with Governor Diri beyond her official duties. Her statement on social media seemed to reassure her followers and the public that the allegations were false and that the rumors should be disregarded.
Despite Nengi’s own clarification, the rumors continued to spread, fueled by the reach and influence of anonymous social media accounts, some of which were associated with the gossip blog “GistLover.” This particular platform was singled out by Oredipe in his post, as he accused them of “goofing” by publishing the fabricated story. The spread of these rumors created a distraction from the state’s celebrations and achievements, casting a shadow over an otherwise positive occasion for the Bayelsa State government.
Oredipe’s post also touched on the broader issue of social media regulation. He expressed frustration with the lack of accountability among users of these platforms, referring to them as “e-rats” who spread unverified and harmful information. In his view, the ease with which falsehoods could be disseminated on social media posed a serious threat to public trust and the integrity of individuals in positions of authority. Oredipe’s comments seemed to reflect growing concerns about the power of social media in shaping public opinion and the challenges of combating misinformation.
The Governor’s office, through Oredipe’s statement, reiterated that Governor Diri is a man of honor and dignity, and any attempts to malign his character would not succeed. By denying the claims outright and defending the governor’s reputation, Oredipe aimed to assure the people of Bayelsa that the allegations were baseless and that the governor remained focused on his work for the state.
The situation prompted a wider conversation about the intersection of politics, social media, and public perception. It raised questions about the responsibility of individuals and media outlets in ensuring that information shared online is accurate and not harmful. The rapid spread of rumors in the digital age had the potential to not only damage reputations but also distract from important political and social issues, as evidenced by the distraction caused during the governor’s fifth anniversary celebrations.
In response to the controversy, some social media users and public figures expressed support for both Nengi and Governor Diri. Many condemned the spread of fake news and highlighted the potential harm it could cause to innocent individuals. Others pointed out that the timing of the rumors seemed to be strategically aimed at undermining the success of the governor’s administration, which had been marking several milestones in its efforts to improve infrastructure, education, and social welfare in Bayelsa.
The episode also raised the question of whether the growing problem of fake news would lead to calls for stricter regulations on social media platforms in Nigeria. As digital platforms continue to evolve and play an increasingly significant role in shaping public discourse, governments and civil society may face tough decisions about how to balance freedom of expression with the need to curb misinformation and protect public figures from false and damaging claims.
Despite the controversy, both Nengi and Governor Diri’s teams remained committed to ensuring that their work and public image would not be derailed by rumors. For Nengi, the priority was her ongoing work in advocating for the rights of young girls and women, an issue she had championed throughout her time as the Senior Special Assistant on Girl Child Development. For Governor Diri, his focus remained on the prosperity of Bayelsa, particularly through the infrastructure projects and reforms being rolled out as part of his administration’s agenda.
In the end, the public’s attention was refocused on the actual accomplishments of the Governor’s administration. The inauguration of new infrastructure, the growth in key sectors, and the positive impact of the governor’s policies were all points that Oredipe emphasized in his response. While the rumors about Nengi and Governor Diri’s alleged relationship had caused a temporary distraction, the message from the government was clear: the administration would not allow malicious rumors to take away from the real progress being made in Bayelsa.
As the situation unfolded, it became apparent that this incident was not just about a single rumor. It was also a broader reflection of the way social media was influencing the political landscape and how quickly misinformation could spread, even when it had no basis in fact. Whether or not the spread of such falsehoods would lead to greater scrutiny of social media practices in Nigeria remained to be seen, but one thing was clear: the power of digital platforms to shape narratives was undeniable.
In conclusion, the allegations about Governor Douye Diri and Nengi Hampson were unequivocally denied by the Governor’s office, with the Director-General of New Media, Samuel Oredipe, condemning the spread of false news. While the claims were widely debunked by both Nengi and the Governor’s team, the situation raised important questions about the regulation of social media and its role in shaping public perception, particularly in the political sphere. Despite the brief distraction caused by the rumors, the focus eventually returned to the important work being done by the governor’s administration to improve the lives of the people of Bayelsa.
